Hello! I'm trying to describe the action a character would make for adjusting a suit. It's for a rather pompous character so I envisioned him grabbing the lapels of his suit of fluffing it out. Unfortunately it just doesn't seem to fit. Something like the picture but more of a fluid motion. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
How about something like: He twitched a lapel and worried a cuff like a peacock preening it's feathers. Maybe the simile is overkill. I just had in mind that you said he was pompous.
I like it but it is a little...flowery. I do like the use of peacock though. I honestly didn't think about that.
Something more masculine perhaps? He grabbed his lapels and yanked the jacket flat against his chest, chin jutting forward like a boxer ready to fight. Again, the simile isn't necessary. You could end the sentence at the word chest if you just want to describe the action.
Go to a high-end clothing store and get permission to hang around while people try on suits. Make notes. If that doesn't work, watch films about rich people from the 1930's and 1940's. There was a fair amount of suit-fluffing going on back then.
I like all of the ones that you've had suggested. Could you use something like, his hands commanded the suit pull tighter around his body. Just a suggestion!
His thumbs slid down the length of his lapel and gave a little snap at the bottom. This was one fine suit!
